O2 Ritz, Manchester, February 27
“It is my obligation to get you motherfuckers to come to every fucking show for the rest of your lives!”
Dave Grohl addresses any newcomers to the Foo Fighters live experience with a level of confidence that only comes from 35 years at the top of your game.
Packed into Manchester’s O2 Ritz, a late night slot at a venue far from the lofty stadiums the band are now used to inhabiting, he promises the 1500-strong crowd that they are in for a long night of hits as the group power into debut single ‘This Is A Call’. A punishing ‘All My Life’ ignites the circle pit, swiftly followed by the similarly massive ‘Times Like These’ and ‘The Pretender’. This is, after all, one of the most well-oiled machines in rock, more than capable (even without the presence of Pat Smear on guitar, who is resting up following a gardening injury) of delivering a precise and satisfying run through the decades.
But of course, what makes more intimate nights like these truly special is the opportunity to throw in a few lesser-played deeper cuts, with ‘There Is Nothing Left To Lose’-opener ‘Stacked Actors’ proving particularly energetic, Nate Mendel’s pummelling baseline leading into an impassioned ‘La Dee Da’ and ‘No Son Of Mine’ featuring brief snippets of metal classics from Motörhead and Black Sabbath. Thanking the late Ozzy Osbourne for his continued inspiration, Grohl additionally takes a moment to shout out Turnstile, in attendance ahead of the Brit awards the following evening, dedicating ‘My Hero’ to them before latest single ‘Your Favorite Toy’ showcases some of the raw, punk energy he so clearly admires in the Baltimore group.
As the night bleeds into the early hours of the morning, a blissful ‘Aurora’ continues to celebrate the memory of Taylor Hawkins whose image adorns an advertising poster frame directly across the street thanks to the work of some dedicated, artistic fans. ‘Monkey Wrench’, ‘Best Of You’ and an always welcome ‘Hey, Johnny Park!’ lead us home, the latter of which gives new drummer Ilan Rubin the opportunity to showcase his skills via an extended solo section, before the concluding double header of ‘Exhausted’ and ‘Everlong’. “Thanks for the memories”, Grohl shouts out to the crowd, their enthusiastic response suggesting that he will indeed see them, if not at “every fucking show”, at least at all the Manchester dates for the rest of their lives.
